The story
Due to fighting earlier in the day, the British didn’t arrive at Valkenswaard until half past seven in the evening of September 17 1944. It was decided to spend the night there. Valkenswaard had suffered heavy shelling and there were many deaths. Nevertheless, the liberators were greeted with great enthusiasm.
It has never become clear why the advance did not continue on to Eindhoven. Perhaps it was thought the troops deserved a rest after the battle earlier in the day. Or it was considered too risky to continue to advance in the dark. Perhaps the organisation of the British army was not as flexible as that of the German Wehrmacht. The Germans were capable of forming new combat units from various disintegrated armies. These were capable of carrying out lightning quick attacks against the advancing Allies. Later, it transpired that the delay in Valkenswaard had a major negative impact on the course of Operation Market Garden.
It has never become clear why the advance did not continue on to Eindhoven. Perhaps it was thought the troops deserved a rest after the battle earlier in the day. Or it was considered too risky to continue to advance in the dark. Perhaps the organisation of the British army was not as flexible as that of the German Wehrmacht. The Germans were capable of forming new combat units from various disintegrated armies. These were capable of carrying out lightning quick attacks against the advancing Allies. Later, it transpired that the delay in Valkenswaard had a major negative impact on the course of Operation Market Garden.
There's more to discover
You have arrived at just one small part of Back to Normandy — a personal project dedicated to preserving stories, images, music and memories of the Second World War.
Every record is a doorway to a larger story. Explore Back to Normandy to discover more, or visit Fred Vogels' personal website to learn about the person and the projects behind it.